Melo Villareal
Palaui Island Travel Guide
Are you ready to explore Palaui Island and experience its stunning beaches, thrilling activities, and beautiful lighthouse? Check out our Palaui Island Travel Guide Blog for all the information you need – from a DIY itinerary and how to get there to a complete list of the top things to do and see in Baler! Plus, don’t miss the must-see tourist spots and popular activities!
Palaui Island is a beautiful island situated off the northeastern end of Luzon Island. It lies off the northwestern part of a big promontory in San Vicente. As per Presidential Proclamation, this Island is declared a protected seascape and landscape. Since its declaration as a protected area, no additional inhabitant was allowed to live on the island. This post aims to provide an essential Palaui Island travel guide, including information on how to get there, things to do and see, where to stay, Palaui Island Tour Itinerary, and other essential details for your travel planning.
Sunrise on Palaui: Palaui Travel Guide
In 2012, CNNGo’s website described Palaui Island in Sta Ana Cagayan as an “isolated island which is a natural secret — only the brave and persevering bother to visit. Glorious white sands surrounded by volcanic rocks on one side kiss blue-green waters on the other. Snorkeling and diving bring you face to face with coral gardens and a rich marine reserve.”
The Island offers excellent sights, breathtaking vistas, a lighthouse, secluded beaches, and many more adventure activities like sailing and boating, camping, snorkeling and diving, beach bumming, and rafting. Camping on the Island will give visitors a very thrilling experience. Those who like to camp must bring tents, earth pads, portable stoves, blankets, and trail food.
Activities on Palaui Island
Visitors to this place also have opportunities for trekking. Your visit to the island is not complete without trekking to Cape Engaño Lighthouse – a historic lighthouse located on the island. If you want an easy route, you can ask your boatman to bring you to Cape Engano by boat.
Snorkeling and diving are the other attractions here. These activities help visitors enjoy the magical beauty of the sea. Different species of colorful fishes can be seen. Starfish and corals can also be seen around this Island, a marine sanctuary protected by the Philippine National Navy.
The guide takes the tourists to all sides of the Island through boating and sailing. The beautiful beach on the island’s eastern side and Dos Hermanas Island on the north can be viewed by boating. Tourists can also visit the beautiful Crocodile Island. The jungle and the rainforest are the other main attractions of this Island.
Things to do and see
- Visit Anguib Beach
- Trek to Cape Engano Lighthouse
- Catch the sunrise at Crocodile Island
- Visit Cape Engano Falls
- Explore Punta Verde Falls
- Stopover at Crocodile Island
- Visit Crocodile Island
- Camping in the Wild
- Diving and Snorkeling
- Bird Watching
How to get there
Tourists reach here either by land or by air. PAL Express and Cebu Pacific are the flights that take visitors from Manila to Tuguegarao City – the Capital of Cagayan Valley Province. It will take about one hour to reach Tuguegarao by Air.
It will take 14-16 hours to reach Sta Ana Cagayan by Bus. Recommended Bus Companies are Victory Liner and Florida Bus Liner (02)743-3809.
Upon arrival in Tuguegarao City, you must take another Bus ride to Sta. Ana Cagayan. You can take a Van or Bus bound for Aparri or Sta Ana Cagayan. It will take about 3-4 hours to reach Sta. Ana.
From the town of Sta Ana, you must ride a tricycle (P15 per passenger) to reach the port of San Vicente.
Visitors can go to the island via boats rented at the port. The boat rental fee depends on your desired destinations. Tourists must visit Punta Verde to register and pay P50 for the environmental fee.
Where to Stay
There are many resorts, restaurants, and hotels in Sta Ana Cagayan. If you want to save more money, check out homestay programs near the Punta Verde resort. Mang Jony’s Place is the best place to stay, another main camp on the Island. It has two rooms that are good for four people. People who love homestay can choose this place.
Places to Stay in Santa Ana Cagayan:
Jotay Resort
Telephone +63 (0) 78 372 0560 (PLDT)
Reservations +63 (0) 906 478 1270
Email – jotayresort@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.jotayresort.com/index.htm
Avalon Beach Club
Website: http://www.avalon-beach-club.com/
Jerolinda White Beach
Mobile Nos.: 09341195897, 09068648227
Balai Cagayano
Mobile No.: 09175922138
Lordwins Beach Resort
Mobile Nos.: 09197010036, 09283904518
Find Hotels in Sta Ana, Cagayan
Palaui Island Travel Tips:
- Visit the island during summer (February to May) to avoid rough sailing and to enjoy trekking activities.
- If you are visiting the island on a day tour, you must arrive at the San Vicente Port early to maximize your time.
- Organize a group of at least 6 to minimize the cost of boat rental etc.
- Register at the tourism office located at the San Vicente Port for security purposes.
- If you are planning to stay overnight on the island, you need to bring camping gear, and you have to inform the tourism office.
- Bring enough trail food, drinking water, a flashlight, a garbage bag, a first aid kit, mosquito repellant, and waterproof cases to secure your electronics and valuables.
- Help the community by hiring a travel guide; it’s also for your own safety.
- (June 1, 2013, till August 2013) The island is reportedly closed to tourists due to the filming of Survivor USA Series Season 27
You should include Palaui Island in your bucket list. Visiting the island is recommended during the summer because the waves can be treacherous during the rainy season.
*Visit this Palaui Island Travel Guide for future updates
Also read:
- Visit Sta. Ana, Cagayan — A Town Where You Can Find The ‘Boracay Of The North’
- 10 Stunning Beaches You Need To Experience While Visiting The Philippines
- More Scenic Destinations To Discover In Cagayan Valley Region Apart From Palaui Island
